By: Max Greenwood

Canadian Baseball Network

Ontario Green threatened a big inning with runners on the corners in the bottom of the fifth, but that’s as far as any player on either team got during an anxious contest with Alberta Red on Saturday morning.

Strong pitching performances led to an Alberta Red and Ontario Green 0-0 tie in the second game of the day.  Red was held hitless through seven frames while Green managed just three hits.

Boxscore: Ontario Green 0 Alberta Red 0

Right from the beginning it was clear this was going to be a game dominated by pitching. Green starter Harley Gollert looked confident early, striking out two batters and inducing an easy pop fly in the top of the first. His pitches were only touching 83 MPH, but he was still producing several swing and misses, leaving Alberta Red batters shaking their heads on the way to the dugout.

“You have to throw your first pitch and be aggressive. If you get a strike you’re already well ahead in the count,” says Ontario Green coach Scott Bullett. “Pitchers should be aggressive, thinking like a chess match when you get to the mound.”

The bottom of the first looked like it was going to produce the game's first run as Green centre fielder Cooper Davis drew a leadoff walk and proceeded to easily steal second and third base. Alberta Red starter William Undershute went to work though, striking out the next batter. A pop fly to right field followed, but Clayton Keyes made a great throw to hold Davis on third. Undershute then shut the door by striking out the final batter of the inning. The Alberta pitcher showed his ability to work his way out of trouble, maneuvering around the leadoff walk and stolen bases.

Green starter Gollert ran into a bit of trouble beginning the top of the second, hitting the leadoff batter Soren Graverson, but picked up an out via a fielders choice on the next at-bat. Gollert proceeded to walk the next batter then settle down and strike out the next two Reds, totaling four total strikeouts through two innings.

Things looked promising for Green again in the bottom of the second inning. After a fly out to begin the inning, a pair of walks and a few stolen bases resulted in runners on second and third with one out. Tye Imeson stepped to the plate looking to cash the first run of the game, focused on swinging early and often in the count.

Green coach Scott Bullett discussed the assertive approaches at the plate. “You should be going up there from the first pitch to the last pitch, being aggressive and trying to contribute for your team.”

Imeson certainly took that approach to heart, as he and the following batter struck out swinging to strand two runners in scoring position.

Gollert and Undershute both left the game after three hitless innings and six strikeouts a piece. Batters wouldn’t reach third base again until the bottom of the fifth inning, when a perfectly executed hit-and-run placed Green left fielder Noah Myers on first base and Bryce O’Farrell on third. Ben Erwin then induced a soft grounder to himself and ended the inning with a strong throw to first base.

Red finished the game without a hit, and so far through two games have managed just one hit total.  Coach Greg Morrison expressed the team’s need to make some changes. “It’s a tough situation to hit in for these guys and I think you’re seeing that in these scores. We’ve got one hit in a couple games so we’re going to have to make the adjustment here tonight.”

Ontario Green (0-1-1) will take the field again on Saturday at 6:00 pm against Futures Navy (0-0-2) while Alberta Red (0-1-1) will finish the day with an 8:30 pm game against Ontario Black (1-0-0).